“We saw the hole in the tower, the smoke, what everyone saw on TV in our firehouse,” Fastaia said. “Minutes later, we were dispatched to north Brooklyn about eight miles away. We got within half a mile of our destination and were told to head to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel.

“We passed the Brooklyn Bridge, a right turn and we’re a mile from the towers. I pulled the rig over and asked if we should take the bridge. We had a newly promoted lieutenant who turned out to be our angel from above. He was young, inexperienced and told us to go to the tunnel. An experienced, hard-nosed guy would have said: ‘Yeah, let’s go get some fire.’ It’s how we’re trained.

“We get to the tunnel, all the fire trucks are lined up, but smoke, dust and debris are everywhere. We thought the tunnel blew up.

“They tell us to go over the Brooklyn Bridge. Arriving 20 minutes later kept us from entering the towers, kept us from our demise. It was the difference between dying and living,” he said.

“After I went through major depression, a sleeping disorder. I lost so many friends, 343 brothers in all, about 50 funerals, guys I worked with, played hockey with. I had nightmares, always the same. I was in the building, running, the building was collapsing, I was trying to get out.

“We helped with the search, saw fire engines crushed. There were celebrities, whether some came for photo ops I have no idea. We had cafeterias, so a construction worker, iron worker, fireman or policeman could take a break.

“Alanis Morissette came to work for our shift (6 p.m. to 9 a.m.) She was there at the start, there at the end. She was not there for publicity.”

Fastaia will spend the 10th anniversary of 9/11, at MCU Park, home of the class-A Brooklyn Cyclones which houses a memorial to the Brooklyn servicemen that rushed in while others rushed out that day.

Retiring from the Fire Department of New York in 2003, Fastaia now scouts for the Houston Astros.

“Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke,

Risin’ against that blue sky?”

Ten years ago today, Carlos Delgado awoke in his Toronto condo ...

“I was scheduled to fly to Baltimore that morning. When I awoke, the message lights on my house and cell phones were flashing. Everybody was asking if I was okay. They knew I was supposed to fly.

“It was very surreal, like a movie and pretty scary stuff. As I kept on watching, I realized the magnitude. The whole day, I followed news on TV.”

Today, Delgado is retired, living in Puerto Rico.

“Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor,

Or did you just sit down and cry?”

Ten years ago today, Damon Oppenheimer was scouting for the New York Yankees in Anaheim ...

“Gene Michael and I were doing advance work when my wife called in a panic. I hurried to get a rental car and drive home to Phoenix.

“This was the first time in my life when I ever felt that we were vulnerable and might not be safe.”

Today, Oppenheimer is the scouting director of the Yankees.

“Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones,

And pray for the ones who don’t know?”

Ten years ago today, Ned Colletti was the San Francisco Giants the assistant GM ...

“I woke up in my condo in San Mateo and called Chicago to check in. I had a flight booked for later that day to join the Giants in Houston. They told me the first tower had been hit, turn on the TV.

“It was horrific ... the people ... the families.

“When I hung up the phone, I knew America had changed, life had changed, the world we knew was forever changed.”

Today, Colletti is the Los Angeles Dodgers GM.

“Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble,

And sob for the ones left below?”

Ten years ago today, Jose Bautista was a 20-year-old, first-year pro with the class-A Williamsport (Pa.) Crosscutters in the Pittsburgh Pirates system ...

“We were packing for a bus trip to play Staten Island in the playoffs. Then, they told us we weren’t going any where.

“Other than the Oklahoma City bombing, that’s the only disaster, caused by people, I’ve watched on TV. I’ve see hurricanes and earthquakes, but nothing like this.

“I was supposed to fly home. We stayed a week and went to instructional league in Bradenton, Fla.”

“Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue,

And the heroes who died just doin’ what they do?”

Ten years ago today, Paul Riccarini was in Milwaukee as pro scouting for the Astros ...

“I was about to eat breakfast at the Brookfield Marriott when a friend from home (Pittsfield, Mass.) called to tell me what he’d seen on TV. Fred Nelson and I were set to watch what I thought was an errant takeoff from LaGuardia.

“We wound up there five days, horrified, in a state of denial, something like this could happen, fearful for our country’s safety once things unfolded with reports of the White House as a target, then the towers crumbled.

“I thought I was watching something out of a Dino DeLaurentis film, more angry than anything. We huddled around the TV, Roland Johnson, Dickie Scott, Gary Nickels, not knowing if games were to be called as they went day-to-day the first three days.

“We went to the airport, which was absolute bedlam with security there.

“I was one of two passengers on a US Air flight to Albany, N.Y., through Philadelphia and, as we flew over the city, that is when it hit me. I could see the pallor of smoke, dust and a city crumpled by this heinous criminal act of terrorism.

“I’m still angry to this day because it exposed a vulnerability and the loss of so many sacred innocent lives. I don’t remember Pearl Harbor, but I am sure it is quite similar to those who do. There are two events, aside from family losses, I can vividly recall: JFK’s assassination and forever 9/11.”

Today, Riccarini is a pro scout with the Astros.

“Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer,

And look at yourself and what really matters?"

Ten years ago today, Jose Molina was a September callup with the Anaheim Angels to back up his brother Bengie ...

“I was sleeping when my mother, Gladys, phoned from Puerto Rico saying: ‘Turn on the TV.’ I phoned Benjie and we watched.

“My wife’s cousin worked in the Pentagon. They got in touch with her right after the crash, but no one could reach her for about 30 hours. It was scary.

“I had plenty of relatives in New York, but they were in the Bronx, not in Manhattan.”

Today, Molina is a backup catcher with the Jays.

“I’m just a singer of simple songs,

I’m not a real political man.”

Ten years ago today, Gary Hughes was a scout for the Cincinnati Reds and had slept late in his Boynton Beach, Fla. home, after having dinner with brothers Felipe and Jesus Alou in the Dominican Republic the night before and flying home ...

“My wife Kathy called from California around 10 a.m., with the frightening news. My initial reaction was shock, followed by the realization that the world was about to change in ways I couldn’t imagine.

“A few days later came news some people who had done the flying had taken lessons at a small airport two blocks from my home. That set off many thoughts of how small the world really is.

“I almost spent two weeks in the Dominican separated from all family, probably with little ability to communicate. Kathy’s son, my stepson Marc King has a girlfriend whose sister was married to a young man lost in the destruction in New York. The young lady is going to be in New York to offer comfort to her sister.

“Nobody will forget where they were, the fear and emptiness they felt.”

Today, Hughes is an executive with the Cubs.

“I watch CNN, but I’m not sure I can tell

you the difference in Iraq and Iran.”

Ten years ago today, Gord Ash, GM of the Blue Jays was with international scout Wayne Morgan in Tokyo looking at free agents ...

“We had seen a game at the Tokyo Dome and decided to go to a restaurant eerily called New York Grill atop one of the tallest buildings in Tokyo to eat. I don’t recall if it was in the restaurant or at our hotel and turned on CNN that the first images appeared.

“We were shocked and in disbelief this was happening. We had been in Japan several days and finally, in this time of crisis, the vastness of the distance from home became a reality. I went through a mental checklist of both professional and personal items that needed to be followed up and as I was on the phone I became mesmerized by the TV coverage.

“Even though it was late, I couldn’t turn the TV off and spent most of the night following the news in quiet disbelief.”

Today, Ash is the assistant GM of the Milwaukee Brewers.

“But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young."

Ten years ago today, Paul Quantrill was a setup reliever with theays and Cito Gaston was the hitting coach. They were in Baltimore for an off-day ...

“We saw the towers on TV,” Quantrill said, “and thought it was a movie. We had to leave hotel because of the proximity to Washington and the Pentagon. I remember fighter jets flying over. It was truly a life-changing day for all and it certainly put some perspective on life and baseball.”

Today, Quantrill is a pitching coach with the Ontario Terriers.

Said Gaston: “Gary Matthews phoned to tell me a Cesna had hit the tower. Then my wife Lynda phoned from Toronto. You knew we were being attacked, but we didn’t know by whom.”

Today, Gaston is an adviser to the Jays.

“Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us,

And the greatest is love.”

Ten years ago today, Wallace Johnson was the third base coach of the Chicago White Sox, in New York to play the Yankees ...

“Nardi Contreras (pitching coach) phoned asking: ‘Have you heard? Terrorists attacked.’ I laid on the bed trying to collect my thoughts, then turned on CNN, watched for a while and phoned my mother in Indiana.

“We had a discussion in the lobby, about 12 players, coaches, with guys sharing their thoughts. Gary Glover (ex-Jays reliever) talked about his brother, a Navy SEAL.

“I looked into the faces of our young pitchers. I don’t think they fully understood how the day’s actions affected the world we live in. I’m not saying I’m smarter, but I’ve lived longer. It won’t be years from now until they understand the severity of what happened Sept. 11, 2001.”

We last saw Johnson at Cooperstown a year ago to see his friend, Andre Dawson, inducted.

“Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

Were you teaching a class full of innocent children

Or driving down some cold interstate?”

Ten years ago today, Buck Martinez managed the Jays and, after spending the night at home in New Jersey, was driving down I-95 to Baltimore ...

“I’m listening to WCBS and the traffic reporter says: ‘Smoke is coming out of the World Trade Center. Let me swing by.’ Then he said: ‘There’s a hole in the building.’

“My phone was dead, I couldn’t reach my wife, Arlene, or my son, Casey. Arlene had been flight attendant of the year on American. I got to my room about 10 a.m. All the coaches sat and watched the TV.

“Once they cancelled the games, we rented two buses made the 13-hour drive to Toronto. No one complained.”

Today, Martinez is a broadcaster for Sportsnet.

“Did you feel guilty ’cause you’re a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone?”

Ten years ago today, Tom Burns, a scout for the Anaheim Angels was at home in Harrisburg, Pa. ...

“I turned on the TV and the crawl across the bottom of screen said: ‘Plane crashes into WTC.’ My first reaction was an accident. Within minutes, the next plane hit and it was clear the attack was orchestrated.

“I thought we could lose more citizens in one morning than we did in some wars. I was supposed to cover the game in Baltimore that night. Within hours, Angels scouts received a message from Tony Reagins (scouting administrator) telling us to cease scouting until further notice.”

Today, Burns, the man who signed Brett Cecil, is an amateur scout for the Jays.

“Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?

Did you dust off that Bible at home?”

Ten years ago today, John Kosciak, a Los Angeles Docgers pro scout was at home in Milford, Mass. ...

“I’d returned from scouting the Red Sox-Yankees series. A few other scouts and myself were staying at the Teaneck, N.J., Marriott, with day games Saturday and Sunday.

“At night, we went into the city and approaching the Lincoln Tunnel with it’s view of the Manhattan skyline, I remember telling my friends: ‘There’s the greatest city in the world.’ I said it both nights.

“The morning of the 11th, I had finished a jog when Matt Lauer of the Today show informed us of the first crash. I called my mother, told her to put on her TV and as we spoke, the second plane crashed.”

Today, Kosciak is an amateur scout with the Houston Astros, and in June landed first-rounder George Springer, a UConn outfielder who was given a $2.525-million signing bonus.

“Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened,

Close your eyes and not go to sleep?”

Ten years ago today, Andrew Tinnish was an intern working in the Jays baseball operations ...

“I remember Sue Cannell (Paul Beeston’s right arm) saying something about a plane crashing. I went into the boardroom in scouting, turned on CNN and saw the second plane hit.

“As we heard more about what was going on, it became more real. The first person I called was my father, Bob. He travels a lot on business and mentioned earlier in the week he was going to New York. Turns out he’d left the a day or two before, but in that moment, there was fear and uncertainty.

“As a precaution, we were all sent home. One of those moments that, for unfortunate reasons I’ll never forget where I was, the exact opposite of when Joe Carter homered in 1993.”

Today, Tinnish is the scouting director of the Jays.

“Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Or speak to some stranger on the street?”

Ten years ago today, Calgary right-hander Fred Wray had finished his first pro season at class-A Danville in the Atlanta Braves system ...

“I was at my condo in Wilmington, N.C., and had been out with friends the night before. I was less than thrilled to be awoken so early by my cell. It was my mother, Linda, asking me if I was watching what was happening?

“I told her: ‘No, I was sleeping.’ Her next statement was: ‘Oh, my goodness, the world is coming to an end and my son is still in bed.’

“Needless to say, I was wide awake from that point on, glued to the events on TV. My initial reactions, like everyone else were confusion and fear. Especially, when the second plane hit. It was a scary, more so as I had a cousin who worked in the AOL/Time Warner building in lower Manhattan. He ended up getting out before both towers collapsed.

“It goes without saying that 9/11 was a day that everyone in my generation will never forget. Watching the Discovery channel specials this week was extremely emotional.”

Today, Wray lives in Chicago is an agent for Octagon with seven players in the majors.

“Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow,

Or go out and buy you a gun?”

Ten years ago today, Jays scout Tim Wilken was en route to Chicago, as Ash had asked him to view players for the 2002 season ...

“The Reds were at Chicago and Chris Reitsma was to pitch. I was flying Delta early in the morning with through Atlanta. When I arrived and started walking, I received a call from my ex-wife, asking if I was okay. I asked why and she said the towers were hit.

“I saw all the people gathered around TVs watching the horrible happenings. I was told that flights would not be leaving, so right away I thought I’d better get a hotel room and a car.

“I went to the rental car place, waited for two hours and received a pickup truck from Hertz. I didn’t know they had pick ups. Gord’s assistant, Fran Brown, called me to tell me that (scout) Sal Butera was going home to Orlando via Cleveland and was stuck.

“The next day, I picked up Sal and took him back to Orlando (seven hours) and drove two more hours to Dunedin. The weirdest feeling came when I took my rental to the airport. There might have been five people in the whole airport, around 5 p.m.”

Today, Wilken is scouting director for the Chicago Cubs.

“Did you turn off that violent old movie you’re watchin’

And turn on I Love Lucy reruns?”

Ten years ago, today lawyer John Ircandia, had flown Vancouver to Calgary ...

“After we landed, they announced the airport was closed until further notice. It was clear something had happened, but we did not know what.

“I bumped into a friend who worked for an airline. They were very serious, on high alert. He told me of a horrific plane crash in New York. But it was clear that there was more. He had no time to talk. I was not clear if the incident had occurred or was still occurring in the city or the state.

“I panicked since my eldest son, Vince, was at Niagara University in N.Y. I was starting to sense this was a horrific event. I called a friend, Melissa, in Calgary, an American from Oregon transplanted in Canada. She was crying hysterically. Melissa told me it was a terrorist attack and the World Trade Center had been destroyed.

“I could not get my mind around it. I called my son at Niagara and miraculously got him. He was safe but they were all on high alert. We made a pact to communicate every hour while I pieced together what exactly had happened.

“I called my younger son, Matt, in Vancouver and made a similar arrangement, took a cab to my house in Calgary and sat in front of the TV, stunned in a state of shock.”

Today, Ircandia runs the highly successful Okotoks Dawgs program south of Calgary.

“Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers

Did you stand in line and give your own blood?”

Ten years ago today, Dustin McGowan, had finished his first full season as a pro, pitching at class-A Auburn and was home in his one stoplight town of Ludwicki, Ga.

“I knew they weren’t attacking us next,” said McGowan.

“Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love?”

Ten years ago today Joey Votto was an OAC student in Etobicoke ...

“I woke up late and for school. As I got ready, I listened to the radio. The radio was the first to clue me into the first plane crashing. I was stunned and didn’t comprehend what was going on so I turned on the TV. They showed footage of the crash.

“I drove to school, listened to the radio and the second plane connected. I walked in late, stood in front of the class and told everyone what had happened.

“No one believed me, some laughed. I told them it was not a joke: two planes crashed into the World Trade Center. The laughs stopped.

“The rest of the day I was worried there was going to be a world war.”

Today, Votto plays first base for the Cincinnati Reds.

FALLEN CANUCKS

The attacks killed 2,819, not including those who have cancer from working on the recovery and breathing in toxins, and 26 Canadians in all: